Life cycle air quality impacts on human health from potential switchgrass production in the United States

Switchgrass is a promising bioenergy feedstock, but industrial-scale production may lead to negative environmental effects. This study considers one such potential consequence: the life cycle monetized damages to human health from air pollution. We estimate increases in mortality from long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is emitted directly (“primary PM2.5”) and forms in the atmosphere (“secondary PM2.5”) from precursors of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), ammonia (NH3), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Changes in atmospheric concentrations of PM2.5 (primary + secondary) from on-site production and supporting supply chain activities are considered at 2694 locations (counties in the Central and Eastern US), for two biomass yields (9 and 20 Mg ha−1), three nitrogen fertilizer rates (50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1), and two nitrogen fertilizer types (urea and urea ammonium nitrate). Results indicate that on-site processes dominate life-cycle emissions of NH3, NOx, primary PM2.5, and VOCs, whereas SOx is primarily emitted in upstream supply chain processes. Total air quality impacts of switchgrass production, which are dominated by NH3 emissions from fertilizer application, range widely depending on location, from 2 to 553 $ Mg−1 (mean: 45) of dry switchgrass at a biomass yield of 20 Mg ha−1 and fertilizer application of 100 kg ha−1 N applied as urea. Switching to urea ammonium nitrate solution lowers damages to 2 to 329 $ Mg−1 (mean: 28). This work points to human health damage from air pollution as a potentially large social cost from switchgrass production and suggests means of mitigating that impact via strategic geographical deployment and management. Furthermore, by distinguishing the origin of atmospheric emissions, this paper advances the current emerging literature on ecosystem services and disservices from agricultural and bioenergy systems. •Life cycle air quality related health effects of switchgrass production are estimated.•Changes in atmospheric concentrations of fine particulate matter are modeled.•Considered are 2 yield rates, 3 N rates, 2 N fertilizer types, and 2694 counties.•Ammonia emissions from N fertilizer use dominate human health impacts.•Use of ammonium nitrate instead of urea can greatly reduce human health impacts.